Chapter 37: The Nightly Rain Blows North* – Part 1
(TN: A Chinese poem written by poet Li ShangYin. In the beginning of the poem he tells about his lonely feelings, then in the later verse he writes about the joy of the future, contrasting the loneliness of tonight. All in all, it’s about the twists and turns of emotions.)
Warning: This chapter contains some unsettling themes. Please be warned beforehand that there contains stuff that makes you so angry that you want to punch the screen. So to save your poor device, here’s a caution ahead of time. Enjoy!!
Ming ChangYan held his sword horizontally, blocking the four in front of TianQing.
The group’s footsteps stopped all at once, both frightened and surprised, “WHO!”
Ming ChangYan wasn’t smiling, “You guys are from TianQing.”
These four were all outer disciples.
Within TianQing, no one except the inner disciples had seen Ming ChangYan’s true appearance. Therefore, when these people saw him, they only thought that Ming ChangYan’s get-up was somewhat familiar, but didn’t recognize him.
However, there really were too many people in Jianghu feigning to be the Noble Gentleman. After his death, as long as someone was wearing all black and a black veil, then they would all claim to be Ming ChangYan. Especially those in the Lin’an district were particularly savage. Moreover, in recent years, TianQing practically disregarded matters in Jianghu, no one cared. As a result, these ‘Noble Gentleman’ became rampant without the slightest restraint.
The four outer disciples quickly reacted, this person was another fake Ming ChangYan.
One of them said, “Wearing that, don’t tell me that you’re the Noble Gentleman!”
Ming ChangYan said nothing. Zhao XiaoLan promptly explained, “No no! She’s a woman!”
The four all turned to look at him, but after looking left and right, they couldn’t find any aspect of Ming ChangYan that looked like a woman.
Zhao XiaoLan has always revered the TianQing sect, even if they were outer disciples he still treated them with much respect. Cupping his hands together and bowing, Zhao XiaoLan smiled, “Good friends from TianQing, where are you going?”
“Oh, we’re here as disaster relief.”
Zhao XiaoLan said, “Have you guys eaten yet? If not, may I invite you to lunch? We can go to the Jade restaurant for a meal at noon.”
They hesitated, “This…”
Zhao XiaoLan said, “I’ve always admired TianQing’s ShaoXia’s good looks. Me inviting you to dinner is just a small form of respect, so I hope that everyone won’t decline my offer.”
At this moment Ming ChangYan suddenly asked, “You’re here as disaster relief? What about TianQing’s inner disciples, how many came? Where’s LiMin-Jun and Zhong YuLou?”
Unexpectedly, after he said those words, the four’s expressions instantly changed.
“What Zhong YuLou?!”
“Zhong YuLou! Zhong YuLou was a fucking traitor!”
Zhao XiaoLan paused, Ming ChangYan’s voice turned cold, asking, “What did you say?”
One of them said, “You? Hahaha, if you want to dress up as the Noble Gentleman, why don’t you pretend a bit better? You don’t even know such a big affair happened at TianQing.”
Zhao XiaoLan murmured, “This, I didn’t know about this either….”
Zhao XiaoLan cared about TianQing, originally it was because he adored Ming ChangYan and everything that had to do with Ming ChangYan. On the year of his death and TianQing fell into disarray, he was heartbroken and mournful, bathing himself in his own tears, and wasn’t in the mood to waste his energy to deal with other matters. As a result, the matter of Zhong YuLou, he totally didn’t know.
They said, “Forget about it, there’s no point in talking to you guys about it. Let’s go let’s go, let’s not waste our time here.”
Ming ChangYan suddenly shot forward, his sword didn’t come out of its sheath, but he used the tip of the sword to block the person who had spoken earlier. The person immediately reacted, striking back twice in a row, but instantly realized that he wasn’t the opponent for Ming ChangYan. While striking he also retreated back, until ultimately he couldn’t retreat anymore. He was overturned onto the ground by Ming ChangYan, following which his collar was grabbed and he was pressed down on the floor.
The person who was being pressed down on the floor began to bare his fangs and inconsiderably shout, “What are you doing! Do you want to die! Murder!”
The blade of Ming ChangYan’s sword towards the other and pressed against his throat. He threatened, “Say another word and I’ll cut off that head of yours.”
The person immediately shut up.
When the remaining three saw their comrade getting beat up they quickly unsheathed their swords. When Huai Yu saw this, he hooked his foot on one of the tables holding congee, stopping them.
He gave them a cold glance.
The three looked at each other in dismay but didn’t dare to move a single step forward. Spouting, “WHO ARE YOU?!”
Huai Yu didn’t feel like responding to them.
On the other side, the outer disciple who was threatened by Ming ChangYan stammered, “You, you you you you and I have no grievances, why did you suddenly attack!”
His face suddenly turned red, “MALE AND FEMALE ARE UNEQUAL!!! GET OFF!! GET OFF!!”
Ming ChangYan refused to acknowledge him, asked, “Let me ask you, this statement that YuLou is a traitor, how did it emerge?”
When the outer disciple heard this he completely shed the blush on his face, gnashing his teeth and fuming, “How else! Of course, it’s because he allied with GuiFeng sect and caused the death of Da-shxiong!”
Ming ChangYan was silent.
The outer disciple thought that he might as well just spill the whole thing, “Who doesn’t know that Wan QianQiu was his older sister’s husband! He’s the only one in TianQing with the best relationship with GuiFeng sect! Da-shixiong was blind to regard him so highly back then, who would’ve expected him to be an ingrate!”
Ming ChangYan was just about to ask him to give him a thorough explanation, yet what they said next completely broke his rationality.
“But evil will always meet its retribution, after causing the death of so many people, in the end, he still finished without a happy ending. Humph, it truly was a well-deserved death!”
Ming ChangYan said, “What did you say?”
His hand began to tremble, when the outer disciple saw this, he immediately overthrew him and crawled up from the ground. He touched his neck and said, “You are so unreasonable, that hurt.”
Ming ChangYan asked, “He died? How did he die?”
The outer disciple’s heart skipped, spotting Ming ChangYan he saw this his complexion was deathly pale, terrified. His vigor was at a steep decline, saying, “He just, just died….”
Ming ChangYan’s breathing stopped, “Nonsense!”
The outer disciple shouted, “What’s there to talk nonsense about! If he died, then he died!”
All of a sudden, his voice came to a spontaneous stop.
Ming ChangYan tightly pursed his lips, his eyes somewhat bloodshot, firmly staring at the person. He was clutching the person’s neck again. The more strength used in his grip, the outer disciple’s face would be choked another shade of red, looking as if he was about to take his last breath.
Huai Yu grabbed his wrist, “MING CHANGYAN!”
Ming ChangYan’s gaze caused the outer disciple’s body to tremble. He didn’t even have time to try to run away when he was pushed aside by Ming ChangYan.
Huai Yu’s hand was suddenly shaken off as Ming ChangYan himself began running away. Blood and qi rushed to his heart as both his legs turned soft, his entire body strength abruptly unhitching. Only from Huai Yu promptly supporting his shoulder did he not kneel on the ground.
The outer disciple was scared to the point where his entire body shivered, “Wei-weirdo.”
The remaining three didn’t want to tangle with Ming ChangYan, taking advantage of Ming ChangYan’s immobility they urged, “Quick quick quick, let’s leave!!”
After they disappeared, the pit of Ming ChangYan’s stomach ached. He hurriedly gasped a few breaths of air, his brows firmly wrinkled together.
Huai Yu didn’t know how to talk so he could only semi-hug him while waiting for him to clear his head.
Ming ChangYan’s voice was hoarse, “Did you hear what he said.”
Huai Yu thought for a bit then nodded his head.
Ming ChangYan’s ten fingers curled into a fist, he uncurled, arriving at the verdict, “Fake.”
He abruptly raged, “Go back to the inn and find Ming Yue! XiaoLan, go back.”
Ming ChangYan slapped the table and rose up, but didn’t walk far when a person stood in his way. The man had a strong build with thick eyebrows and large eyes, precisely one of four TianQing disciples from earlier.
The person unusually said, “Da-shixiong.”
Ming ChangYan looked at him with an odd expression.
This person recognizes his appearance? Who?
“I know what really happened two years ago.”
Two years ago, Ming ChangYan fell into the Yanbo River and the news of his death was widely spread across the martial circles. The Six Great sects announced: After purging Ming ChangYan, the next step is consolidating TianQing sect.
On that day, the rain poured down hard.
As the rainstorm passed along, so did the news of Ming ChangYan’s death. As the outer disciples of TianQing finished speaking, Zhong YuLou flipped over the table, “BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT!! A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT!!!”
With his sword in hand, he brushed his sleeves and was ready to head out but was caught by LiMin-Jun, “Are you trying to court death! The Six Great Sects have already stationed themselves at the bottom of XiYue Mountain, what do you plan on doing there?!”
Zhong YuLou said, “I’m going to the Yanbo River! How could Da-shixiong die so easily! I don’t believe it, let go!”
LiMin-Jun bellowed, “What are you crying for! He died, so do you plan on dying with him! Or is it that you, Zhong YuLou, is so capable that you can go against the Six Major sects?!”
“I….”
LiMin-Jun loosened his grip, “Take YuBao and Lady Hua through the secret passageways and leave. Ming Yue, take the Common People’s Order and hide–Ming Yue, Ming Yue? Ming Yue!”
Ming Yue’s face completely lacked color, his lips pale. His hands were clenched so tightly that he wasn’t even aware that he was stopping his blood flow.
LiMin-Jun said, “You, what are you doing?”
He was distracted, his lips stammering multiple times until he quietly asked, “Da-shixiong, what happened to Da-shixiong….”
LiMin-Jun paused and waved his hand, “Nothing! They’re saying he’s dead, but does that mean he’s really dead? Or do you believe that others understand Ming ChangYan better than you guys?”
“Who is he? He’s more sly than a nine-tailed fox, it’s impossible to strip away his lives. He may have found a way to avoid this mishap. What’s there to be afraid of! Get up, right now we need to worry about ourselves. If you don’t want Da-shixiong to come back and have to collect all of your corpses then you aren’t allowed to cry! Especially you, Zhong YuLou, do you know what you look like right now! How old are you to be constantly weeping, YuBao is younger than you and he isn’t even crying!”
Zhong YuLou was somewhat convinced after hearing his words, sniffing his nose and wiped his tears. In the hearts of these teenagers, Ming ChangYan’s existence has always been like a god to them. They grew up tagging behind him like little tails and shared the same blind confidence in him. Thinking that no matter what happened, he would always resolve it accordingly. As a result, LiMin-Jun’s words somewhat placated them, calming everyone down a bit. Even Ming Yue stabilized a little.
Zhong YuLou furiously wiped his face with his sleeves, “I’m staying at TianQing to wait for Da-shixiong. Er-shixiong, the Six Major sects are right below XiYue Mountain, if all the inner disciples are gone and they attack, who’s going to keep stop them?”
LiMin-Jun scolded, “Whoever stops them it isn’t going to be you!”
Ming Yue said, “Er-shixiong, I’m staying as well.”
LiMin-Jun widened his eyes, “Fucking, you’re all turning against me aren’t you, one by one you all want to go throw your life away. Ming ChangYan’s not here so my words don’t even matter anymore do they!”
Zhong YuLou held onto his sword, “I’m staying here to wait for Da-shixiong. When he comes back how is he able to fight against the Six Major sects, my cultivation’s good, I want to help him.”
LiMin-Jun fumed, “You brat, your chicken feather of cultivation…”
He only finished half his statement when he paused.
Zhong YuLou had good innate skills and very high cultivation. Even though he was young, he had a bit of Ming ChangYan’s bearing from back when he disturbed the entire world. There are multiple sects around and numerous people with inherited talent. Compared to those people, Zhong YuLou couldn’t be outdone by them. If he continued to practice a few more years, someday he would without a doubt become a powerful master. Having Zhong YuLou stay behind and take care of TianQing, wasn’t a bad idea.
LiMin-Jun hesitated for a bit, then said, “Fine. YuLou will stay.”
Ming Yue said, “I’m staying too.”
LiMin-Jun, “What are you staying behind for? Ming Yue, don’t make things difficult.”
When he looked at Ming Yue, his heart was at a loss. Within the inner disciples in TianQing, Ming Yue this person was the most eccentric and the hardest to deal with. He was susceptible and didn’t word his paranoias, often wearing a bad complexion. Besides Ming ChangYan, everyone else including LiMin-Jun all had some restraining fear against him. LiMin-Jun could wantonly scold Zhong YuLou straight in his ear but didn’t dare to say a single harsh word to Ming Yue, afraid that the other might overthink it or even misunderstand.
Ming Yue bowed his head, “Er-shixiong thinks I’m lacking and I will hinder you if I stay, right?”
LiMin-Jun at a loss, “I have no intention of doing that.”
Ming Yue, “I want to wait here until he comes back.”
“Just let him wait.”
Having heard this, LiMin-Jun looked up and saw Xiao A-chai carrying a basket walking towards the entrance, “Young Master ChangYan treats him well and doted on him the most if there’s any tasty food or drinks, when has he never gave it to him? It’s normal for Ming Yue to want to stay if you prevented him, then you’d be a vile person. He’s grown up and has his own viewpoints, don’t worry about him like an old housewife.”
LiMin-Jun said, “Xiao A-Chai, why are you here?”
Xiao A-Chai, “After such a huge affair happened, why wouldn’t I come?”
LiMin-Jun, “Is Lady Hua still okay?”
Xiao A-Chai, “She ate her medicine and went to sleep. Before she went to sleep she even asked about Young Master ChangYan. I didn’t dare to tell her the truth or her illness might get worse from the anxiety. She has a profound friendship with Young Master ChangYan, if anything happened to the young master, how long would my lady continue to live on Earth?”
LiMin-Jun, “Ming ChangYan has always been lively and playful in nature, a rascal. I can only believe three percent of what the Six Major sects announced. Plus they haven’t found a body yet so I don’t believe he’s dead.”
Xiao A-Chai, “Heaven helps the worthy. What does Young Master Li plan on doing now?”
LiMin-Jun’s original plan was this. Initially, he was the one who stayed behind to defend TianQing in case the Six Major sects suddenly came looking for trouble. Then Ming Yue would take the Common People’s Order and leave while YuLou protected Hua YunChang whilst others evacuated. However, both Ming Yue and YuLou refused to cooperate with his plan. Now the outcome was that he had to take the Common People’s Order away and YuNan has to protect Hua YunChang.
After everything was properly arranged, on the night of that same day, LiMin-Jun changed into the clothes of a commoner and left through the secret passageways.
Before leaving, he instructed, “YuLou, no matter what, wait for Ming ChangYan to come back before making decisions. You absolutely can not act on your impulses.”
Zhong YuLou said, “I know, don’t worry, I’ll protect my fellow disciples!”
LiMin-Jun sighed, “You’ve grown up, shixiong believes in you. Ming Yue, take care as well.”
After he left, Zhong YuLou and Ming Yue exited the secret passageways. Walking together, they passed through a grove and arrived at the West Lake.
Zhong YuLou has never been with Ming Yue by himself, so at this moment he felt uncomfortable, his entire body got goosebumps. He wanted to say something to lighten the atmosphere yet he discovered that he couldn’t start a converse at all with someone who had a yin yang face*. After being at a loss of half a day, until the two climbed onto the boat, Ming Yue was the one to open his mouth first.
(TN: In case anyone forgot, it means someone holding two entirely different attitudes towards something)
“Do you think he can die?”
Zhong YuLou paused, “Who? Da-shixiong? He can’t die!”
Ming Yue ignored his response, continuing, “When I was really small, he was the one who saved me. Back then I was at the brink of death, yet he was able to save me, can he die?”
What Ming Yue was talking about was an old affair that happened many years ago. He wasn’t originally an inner disciple in TianQing, but a child Ming ChangYan had rescued from a heap of wild dogs during his travels. Back then he was half dead and barely living, at his last gasp, Ming ChangYan used a TianQing core method to save him. When he woke up, not only did he have memory loss, he also acquired a physical defect. When asked about what his surname is, where his family was, and how many people were in his family, he didn’t know.
After half a year, he gave himself the name ‘Ming Yue’ and followed after Ming ChangYan every day to learn martial arts. After Ming ChangYan taught him for two more years, a married woman came to TianQing and claimed to be Ming Yue’s mother. After investigation, it turned out it really was her. However, Ming Yue refused to go home, and in spite of his mother’s dissuading him, he persisted with his views and remained in TianQing to this day.
Zhong YuLou cut him off, “Why doesn’t your little yin yang face ever have anything pleasant to say? How could Da-shixiong die in the hands of those people!”
In the middle of the lake, the reflected full moon waved along the water surface. Ming Yue reached out to fish it out, when it went down it broke the moon’s reflection. He gripped his empty hand, his palm hollow.
Zhong YuLou’s hair stood on one end, “I already felt that you had some issues long ago. Do you have some sort of mental disability to think that you’d be able to fish up the moon!”
Ming Yue’s expression sunk, “What does this have to do with you.”
Zhong YuLou rested his head against his hands and crossed his legs, “What there to be embarrassed about? I know that you like to imitate Da-shixiong, he likes the moon, so you also like the moon, even picking a name that means the moon. Whatever, I’m not going to ridicule you.”
Ming Yue said, “Who would want the rarity of not getting ridiculed by you!”
Zhong YuLou said, “Are you sick! I’m not going to lower myself to argue with you when Da-shixiong comes back, then I’ll fight you! But don’t even think about going to Da-shixiong to play pitiful! All you know how to use this tactic, not a match for me so you go about selling you misery, humph! You rely on Da-shixiong knowing that your temperament is bad and looking after you; who doesn’t know about those little thoughts of yours, acting like you have the temper of a little lady! What a performance!”
Ming Yue’s entire complexion turned red, “Who’s selling their misery! Who’s not a match for you! Who uses these tactics! Oh, little lady? You’re more like a little lady than me! Who was the one who went down the mountain last year and caused more harm than good while also suffering a double loss while trying to trick the enemy! Who was the one who was mistaken as a woman and almost sold to a low-grade brothel! Who’s a lady! Who looks the most like a woman! Go take a look in the mirror!”
Zhong YuLou’s expression changed, clearly not expecting Ming Yue to remember his remote black history. Moreover, because he was born with a pretty face, he wasn’t called a woman any less than usual. At once, he was ashamed to anger, jumping up, “ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FIGHT!”
Ming Yue unsheathed his sword, “If you want to fight then let’s fight! Who’s afraid of who!”
Saying this, the two unexpectedly began fighting on that small boat.
After a few strikes, the little boat couldn’t bear the heavy burden and thoroughly flipped over, causing the two aboard to flip into the water. Ming Yue choked on a mouthful of water and yelled out loud, “I don’t know how to swim…I don’t know!”
Zhong YuLou took joy in the other’s calamity, slapping the water’s surface and laughing, “Little yin yang face, do you want to know what this move is called? It’s called beating a drowning dog! Hahahahahahaha!”
Within the lake, Ming Yue gurgled a few times then stopped moving.
Zhong YuLou finished laughing, sensing that something was amiss he shouted, “Hey! Hey! Shoot, you really don’t know how to swim! That’s too shameful!”
He slammed into the water and brought Ming Yue up to shore. Ming Yue laid down for a while before he suddenly beginning to cough. Coughing out a mouthful of water, he opened his eyes and hatefully glared at Zhong YuLou.
Zhong YuLou touched his nose, “What are you looking at me for, isn’t this just because your cultivation isn’t good. Who would’ve imagined that your swimming ability isn’t that good either.”
Ming Yue said, “Zhong YuLou! You’re too annoying!”
Zhong YuLou objected, “We’re no better or worse than each other, you too, are very annoying. Oh right, not only do I think you’re annoying, everyone thinks you’re annoying.”
After falling into the water, the two both lacked the strength to fight. After they traded insults they gasped for breath and rested for a while.
Zhong YuLou said, “Hey, tomorrow, don’t you try to drag me behind.”
Ming Yue closed his eyes, “Same to you. You should worry more about yourself. Your cousin is Wan QianQiu’s wife. Since TianQing and GuiFeng sects are tearing at each other right now, why didn’t you go along with Er-shixiong’s plan and decide to stay.”
He took another breath of air and stood up. With his back facing Zhong YuLou, he looked like he was about to leave.
Before leaving, Ming Yue opened his mouth, “Do your best.”
Zhong YuLou humphed, “I’m doing great! Better than you!”
On the second day, Zhong YuLou changed clothes and made a round across the area but didn’t spot Ming Yue.
He was always keeping to himself so Zhong YuLou didn’t feel inclined to care about him, but he was afraid that he was somewhere secretly wiping his tears.
After he finished eating breakfast, Zhong YuLou sat at the empty lounge pondering over how to handle the situation.
Yesterday, he flaunted off like a hero and promised LiMin-Jun that he himself would protect TianQing sect. But now that it came to it, he didn’t have a concrete plan in mind.
The Six Major sects were already stationed at the gate of XiYue Mountain, even though they haven’t attacked it was already very frightful. Though somewhat incautious, there seemed to be a little hopelessness.
At noon, an outer disciple came three times asking TianQing sect to give a statement to GuiFeng sect, to give a statement to the martial circles, to give a statement to the cultivators of this world.
That being said, ambition is very obvious and well-known. Who in Jianghu doesn’t know that it’s because they couldn’t find the Common People’s Order with Ming ChangYan that they came to TianQing sect with an excuse to search the place? This method is nothing but a reason to wield the power of the god-like weapon. When Zhong YuLou heard this, he was angry to the point where his whole body trembled, nearly unable to restrain himself from going and slicing off the heads of those herds of hypocrites.
Although the opposing party firmly pressed on, they still gave TianQing a few days. After 4-5 days, Zhong YuLou guessed that LiMin-Jun ought to have taken the Common People’s Order and gone far away. Now, even if the Six Major came up XiYue Mountain they wouldn’t be able to obtain the Common People’s Order. Therefore, on that day, his mood somewhat relaxed a bit and he decided to go to the training grounds for the outer disciples to take a stroll. To take a look to see if his fellow disciples have been sleeping and eating well these past few days.
But just when he arrived at the training grounds, Zhong YuLou sensed that something was amiss.
One pair, two pairs, three pairs of eyes seemed to always be staring at him. The gazes were very subtle as they landed on his body, causing his entire body to feel uncomfortable.
Zhong YuLou turned around, wanting to find out who was watching him but the moment his body moved, the gazes dispersed.
He muttered at the abnormality but didn’t think much of it, strutting towards the training grounds.
This place, besides the inner sect dorms, was the place he was most familiar with. Ming ChangYan would commonly come here to review YuLou’s sword skills while also calling out the other disciples to stand at the terrace and watch so that he could be a good role model for them while also learning a thing or two.
Zhong YuLou walked about the training grounds, grabbing a disciple he asked, “Where’s Yue Yi?”
Yue Yi was a well-known figure among the outer disciples and swapped pointers with Zhong YuLou multiples times, so he was relatively familiar with them.
He casually asked them but who would’ve imagined that the little Shidi ruthlessly glared at him and swung his hand away, running away.
Zhong YuLou frowned, knitting his eyebrows, “What the hell?”
At this moment, Yue Yi appeared from behind the training grounds no longer wearing that smiling expression. Simultaneously, behind him there were about ten outer disciples with complexions of hostility.
Zhong YuLou paused before immediately smiling, “Yue Yi! I finally found you, where did all of you guys go!”
Yue Yi pursed his lips, refusing to reply.
Zhong YuLou puzzled, “Why do you look like I committed some offense towards you, what’s wrong with you?”
After a period of silence, Yue Yi said, “Zhong YuLou, what’s wrong with you? Do you even need to ask me?”
Zhong YuLou was at a loss, gloomily saying, “What you’re saying doesn’t make sense. If you still think of me as your friend, then open up to me. Did I do something to offend you?”
Finally an outer disciple couldn’t bear it anymore, “Zhong YuLou! You still have the guts to say you’re a friend! You traitor to TianQing Sect!”
Hearing this, Zhong YuLou was even more perplexed, “What traitor? What rubbish are you guys saying?”
The outer disciple, “You still want play coy? Isn’t Hua XiuYuan your older cousin? Isn’t Wan QianQiu your older cousin’s husband?”
Zhong YuLou’s expression changed.
When that person saw his change in expression, it seemed like they just got reliable evidence, loudly shouting, “Look, you guys! He’s guilty, alright! I didn’t believe it in the beginning, but now he’s reaping what he sowed!”
Zhong YuLou replied, “What do you guys want! Yue Yi, what are you doing?”
Yue Yi said, “Zhong YuLou, did you cooperate with GuiFeng sect to cause the death of Da-shixiong?”
Zhong YuLou was taken back, immediately knitting his brows tightly together, “What kind of bullshit are you spouting!”
Soon, he suddenly reacted, “Who’s spreading rumors?”
Yue Yi said, “Rumors? I’m afraid that it’s all facts. In these past few days, we all got it. Within TianQing sect, those who know about Da shi-xiong’s appearance is only the inner disciples. Out of all the inner disciples, Da-shixiong relies on you the most. Zhong YuLou, just tell us, is Wan QianQiu your relative! You, you, just what’s the point of evading.”
Zhong YuLou’s expression was deathly pale, muttering to himself, “Are you guys ill! You guys claim that I did it just because of that? Who told you it was me? Don’t get so easily provoked, Da-shixiong and I have deep gratitude towards one another so why would I betray him!”
The outer disciples continued to chatter, a line for every person.
“You still have the guts to say such words! I know that you and Da-shixiong have deep gratitude towards one another, you betrayed him, don’t you think you should go die!”
“Da-shixiong already died, you have already achieved what you wanted so why are you putting on an act in front of us.”
“I heard that Er-shixiong wanted him to leave in the beginning, except he refused. From what I see, he just wants all the inner disciples to leave before he can stay and open the door for the Six Major sects!”
“You’re right, we already figured out your plan. Zhong YuLou, I used to believe that your martial arts were outstanding, but I never thought you’d do such a downgrading affair!”
“These past few days, we’ve already figured out what kind of person you are. You should leave TianQing by yourself.”
“Out of the question! We can’t let him off cheap! In my opinion, we should have him repay his debt in blood!”
Having heard what was just said, Zhong YuLou subconsciously placed his hand on the sword hanging by his waist. However, the outer disciples with good eyesight noticed this and promptly yelled out, “Look! He’s making a move, it’s dangerous!” When these words were produced, it instantly attracted countless gazes. The crowd began to make an unnecessary racket let out a few ‘So he really was trying to kill us.’, ‘Everyone be careful!’, and so on.
Zhong YuLou retreated back a step, his heart beating in a frantic rhythm. He immediately released both his hands, defending himself, “I didn’t!”
Although he was only 17 years old, he has always been the best in cultivation in TianQing, something he was always proud of. When faced with these unpredicted circumstances, he was at a loss on what to do. Zhong YuLou really couldn’t endure the badmouthing.
“The Six Major sects are already going to attack. The reason I’m staying here is so that I can protect you guys. Let’s not have any internal strife right now. I’m innocent, if you really have problems, you guys can wait for Da-shixiong to come back to settle it!”
An outer disciple said, “Da-shixiong is already dead! Come back?! Come, let’s go fight the Six Major sects till one or the other dies! All in all, we can’t just stay inside and remain spineless cowards!”
When Zhong YuLou heard this, he quickly went to block the doors.
In order to descend the mountain, people needed to take the side doors on the training grounds. He stood above the training grounds to block everyone’s path, impatiently saying, “No! You guys are throwing your lives away if you go, I’ll protect you guys, none of you are allowed to go!”
Unexpectedly, Zhong YuLou felt a burst of pain as both his knees ached. He wasn’t in the slightest degree concerned about guarding himself with people he was on familiar terms with, therefore he was hit ferociously on the legs by one of the inner disciples. He held down the pain yet one of his legs kneeled on the ground. The person holding the rod said, “You kneel! Are you even worthy of Da-shixiong! Wanting to protect us, who knows if you’ve ganged up with the Six Major sects or not!”
Zhong YuLou shouted, “I didn’t! I’m a disciple of TianQing sect, I promised Er-shixiong to stay behind and protect TianQing!”
In the underbrush, a few dark figures abruptly jumped out. Zhong YuLou bore the pain to take a look to realize that they were a few that already took the lead from the sects below the mountain. The TianQing mountain is steep so it was difficult for one to climb up, but there will always be the few who succeed. Zhong YuLou quickly pushed aside a few outer disciples and took care of them.
He sheathed his sword and said, “It’s dangerous below the mountain, you guys have already witnessed it, there are already people making their way up. If you guys continue to not listen to me, how am I going to explain to Da-shixiong in case something happens?”
“What hypocrisy, who would listen to your nonsense! You want to protect us, why not try protecting yourself first!”
The pounding of the outer disciple’s heartbeats echoed, evident that they were frightened by the sudden surprise attack just now. If it wasn’t for Zhong YuLou disposing of them just now, a few of the outer disciples would have already faced some casualties.
“You can’t say for sure that you weren’t the one who instructed them to come up here, what are you still pretending for!”
Zhong YuLou’s anger reached his head, yet he tried to be as gentle as he could, “Is it possible for you guys to start making some sense.”
(TN: These slimy motherfuckers. You better believe I’m going to beat the shit out of them all. Okay here’s my warning again cause it’s gonna get kinda ugly and yeah I cried translating this)
Suddenly an outer disciple raised his arm and with him unprepared, the rod landed another hit. Zhong YuLou didn’t have any time to deal with the hit causing him to kneel on the ground.
“Get out of my way! We’re going to fight to the death with the Six Major sects. If you dare stop us, then you’re a traitor!”
The hand he was using to grasp the rod was shaking. After he hit Zhong YuLou, his heart unexpectedly felt a bit astonished and delighted.
He thought: I hit Zhong YuLou, haha, I hit him! I always thought he was displeasing to the eye, always thinking that he’s so strong. So what his innate talent was a bit better, his cultivation a bit better, and he looks a bit prettier. Now isn’t it him who’s kneeling in front of me, not retaliating in the least!
Yue Yi somewhat couldn’t bear this, exclaiming, “What are you hitting him for! Granted that even if he’s a traitor, it’s not up to use to discipline him, you–”
Unfortunately, Yue Yi’s feeble shout was soon drowned out in the aggravated anger.
When Zhong YuLou got over the pain, he thought: Disciples under the same sect attacking each other. If I retaliate, wouldn’t it violate the task that Er-shixiong assigned me?
After clenching his teeth, he thought again: It’s only a few beatings, it’ll pass after enduring it for a bit. The Six Major sects are currently watching us like hawks, we mustn’t have any internal strife at this moment. When they’re willing to listen to me talk, then I’ll talk.
After bearing it for a while, he made up his mind and mindlessly thought: If only Da-shixiong was here right now. I usually receive people’s respect, now that he’s gone, to be unable to fix such a small trivial matter. Anyhow, I definitely won’t cause him to lose face.
Zhong YuLou was always finicky and loved to cry, but at this moment while TianQing was in distress, he didn’t cry or make noise and straightened his back. Within a small piece of trials and hardships in TianQing, he held up a tiny portion of the sky.
Except, he overlooked the malice that the outer disciples had on him. This beating was unexpectedly vicious.
“Good hit! Zhong YuLou, you dare to strike back!”
“You still dare to strike back? Us hitting him is for Da-shixiong to vent his resentment!”
“Exactly! I’m seriously so angry, Da-shixiong treats him so well yet he never thought about repaying the kindness but instead raised a ruthless mind!”
“Let him kowtow! Let him apologize to Da-shixiong!”
Zhong YuLou supported his body and wanted to stand up and retort. However, his body wobbled and suddenly he was hit again by the rod on his head. Without warning, Zhong YuLou only felt white flash in front of his eyes, his head buzzing, and his eyes being muddled by the thick flow of blood down his face causing his line of sight to become fuzzy.
The pain on his body was without an end. He took in a hissing breath and replied, “I didn’t, I didn’t do it, you guys are saying nonsense!”
“You still dare to talk! Today, we’re going to beat you till you acknowledge your mistake! Are you going to get out of our way!” One person bellowed, “Let him kneel! Kneel!”
“Right, take the jade pendant from around his waist. He’s not fit to wear it!”
Zhong YuLou’s entire body jolted, wanting to take back the jade pendant that was on his waist.
“No, no! That’s something Da-shixiong gave me, he gifted it to me!”
A foot firmly stepped on his shoulder, and the jade pendant was snatched away from his hands.
One person said, “Guys listen to this ‘Da-shixiong gave it to me’, so proud of himself wanting to flaunt it off! Humph, throw it on the ground and break it, what qualifications does this person have to get stuff from Da-shixiong!”
He raised his hand high and ferociously threw the jade pendant on the floor. The shattering sound echoed as the jade pendant cracked into pieces.
Zhong YuLou’s pupils shrank and he clenched his teeth, “You guys, you guys are insane!” He finally realized that these groups of outer disciple’s hatred was never that simple. When he wanted to escape, he once again hit to the ground by that rod. Zhong YuLou’s entire back was ripped apart, gasping for breath, he fell straight to the ground.
The person holding the rod said, “Hey, it seems like he’s not hitting back.”
“Not hitting back….not hitting back is good! Didn’t he claim to be protecting us, why would he hit back! Plus, plus does he have the face to retaliate!”
“In short, if he doesn’t get out of the way, then hit! He’s asking for it!”
“Good words, from the looks of it, it’s because he ganged together with the other sects that he doesn’t want us to go down the mountain! You can’t say for sure that after we ascend the mountain that he’ll expose everything! This traitor, his mind’s actually pretty profound, still trying to act pitiful over here!”
At first it was one person, immediately following after seeing Zhong YuLou not retaliating, they all decided that it was because he had a guilty conscience, his heart ashamed; which is why he didn’t fight back. As a result, they swarmed around him.
Everyone shuddered and felt strange. Zhong YuLou has always been someone you can reach out for but never touch. No matter how good his innate talent, cultivation, feelings or appearances were, they were all disciples of TianQing sect. He was born with good luck and was always the revered leader that people would group around. Now he was like a damned dog, laying on top of the training grounds and facing humiliation. How delighted! How to vent their anger!
It turns out that Zhong YuLou was a vile person! What’s so terrific about him! The outer disciples faced each other with rods thought that even dragging Zhong YuLou from the heavenly altar was not enough. They still had to stamp him into the mud, kick into a muddy gutter, then give him a few resolute kicks.
He rigidly held on and from his mouth came, “Don’t go down the mountain, don’t go out!”
Under the rods, Zhong YuLou’s flesh body was merely that of a youngster of 17 almost 18 years old. He wasn’t able to support himself up much longer and he began to feel more and more weak. Originally he was still able to justify himself with a few ‘I didn’t betray,’ ‘Don’t have internal strife,’ ‘Don’t go out.’ In the end, the pain was almost unbearable to the point where he was delirious and he could only mumble a, “It hurts.”
My head hurts, my hand hurts, my back hurts, my waist hurts.
Wherever the rod was ruthless, wherever it hurts.
Zhong YuLou’s consciousness was muffled. Absent-mindedly, he seemed to see Ming ChangYan slowly walking towards him.
“I’m sorry….I’m sorry….I didn’t do a good job…..”
“Da-shixiong…save me…..save me…”
The blood spread throughout the training grounds. Just as someone was carefreely beating away, he abruptly stopped, “Wait, why isn’t he moving?”
Another person doubted, “Could it be that they passed out? Get a bucket of water and pour it on him!”
“No, no! He stopped breathing! Zhong, Zhong YuLou stopped breathing!”
When those words fell, everyone went into an uproar.
Everyone threw away their rods, “It wasn’t me, I, I only hit him twice!”
Everyone looked at each other in dismay. It was like each one of them scalded their hands, throwing the rods aside, “It wasn’t me!”
“Wasn’t me either!”
They swallowed their saliva. On the training grounds, it was completely silent. Only the youngster’s body was covered in blood, his complexion pale with distinct tear stains. The anger severed off.
Suddenly there came a muffled thunder, brewing for gloomy weather as the rain was on the verge of pouring down.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Outside the training grounds, a female priest sat on a tree, her hand on hovering over her mouth and laughing.
Below the tree, Ming Yue’s complexion lacked color, his expression empty.
The female priest had both her legs spread out, smiling, “How was this good show that I brought you to see? Is it just as you intended it to be?”
The outer disciples were alarmed, asking, “Who are you!”
The female priest’s expression suddenly changed and said, “Don’t speak out of your turn.”
The outer disciple who had spoken suddenly paused. Abruptly, his throat produced a ‘splurt’ and was sliced open with a sharp and slender blade, the scarlet blood instantly splashing straight onto the disciple beside him. That disciple’s lips moved, following which they began screeching at the top of their lungs.
The female priest said, “You’re also quite noisy.”
As those words fell, the screeching disciple became like the other disciple. With a single swing, he died without an intact corpse. The female priest said, “You did well, it seems that you’re not a good for nothing. Don’t worry, if you’re unable to remain at TianQing then ‘we’ can help shelter you.”
Upon seeing this, Ming Yue finally woke up, stammering, “I, I didn’t…”
The female priest changed her posture and threw the blade around for fun. Taking a sip of wine, she said, “You didn’t? You didn’t do what? Was this play not pleasurable for you, you still haven’t seen enough?”
Ming Yue retreated back a step, leaning against a tree he began trembling from head to toe, “I didn’t, I didn’t mean to kill him…”
Hearing this, the female priest let out a hearty laugh, “Didn’t you hate him to death? What, he usually doesn’t look up to you but when he’s beaten to death by your outer disciples then you’re beginning to feel remorse?”
“It wasn’t me…It wasn’t me!! It wasn’t, it wasn’t me!!”
The female priest said, “It wasn’t you? Aren’t you the one who urge them that Zhong YuLou was a traitor, or is it….because you were the one who brought your Da-shixiong’s little sister to GuiFeng mountain?”
Ming Yue’s breath stopped and suddenly looked towards her. He had an expression of bewilderment and loathing, “You said that nothing would happen! You said that we were just going to teach him a lesson! You didn’t, you didn’t tell me he would die!”
He nearly collapsed, “It was you, it was you who used my family to threaten me!!”
The female priest faintly smiled, “I used that to trick you, haha, sorry! But you’re still the one who caused his death, oh what should we do, there is no medicine in this world to cure regret. Ming ChangYan’s dead, what are you afraid of? Don’t tell me that you’re afraid of them finding you troublesome?”
When she finished, she was still smiling when she gave a fierce sweep of the outer disciples on the field.
“Regardless whether it’s Ming ChangYan or Zhong YuLou, they can’t stay alive at TianQing. Little Ming Yue, you ought to feel glad at your indifference, you picked up someone’s life.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you sort things out. The dead will never bother others.”
Ming Yue’s entire body jolted. A single drop of rain fell and landed between his eyebrows.
Two drops, three drops of rain mixed together with the blood. Miserable shrieking and calls for help poured through his ears.
Ming Yue suddenly let out a blood-curdling scream and ran towards the training grounds. Stepping over the corpses of the outer disciples, in a pool of blood, Zhong YuLou silently laid still.
He stood in a daze and pursed his lips. He picked up the jade pendant that was thrown on the ground.
Ming Yue crouched by his body with both his hands trembling, appearing as if he wanted to glue the parts of the jade pendant together and give it back to Zhong YuLou.
“I didn’t do it on purpose….I didn’t do it on purpose…I, I didn’t do it on purpose….”
The moment the jade pendant that received thousands of hardships was placed on top of Zhong YuLou’s body, it cracked into pieces.
This was translated by https://poppyscanlations.video.blog/, any repost of this is stolen and if you steal my work I’m going to slice you to pieces.
So.
Who wants to go commit murder with me.
I wrote all of this at 5 am in the morning and I have no urge to read this whole thing again so just like tell me if I mistyped anything. Cried twice while translating this cause it hits you differently when you’re reading this compared to writing each brutal word down.
We’ll be back to the present the next chapter and some fluff will come after the next chapter I promise.
Chapter 36 : Table of Contents : Chapter 38
Poppy Scanlations 
